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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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Shelf .Ltll_a.l.o 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



TO JACK 



IDLE VERSES 



IDLY WRIT 



FRANK CHAFFEE. 




^^v or coyv. 



OCT 27 1891 J / 



New York 

GEO. M. ALLEN & CO. 

Q4 Fifth Avenue 



\ 



^'c 



^$' 



Copyright, 1891 
By Geo. M. Allen & Co. 



verses writ m idle moment. 
Airiest of airy rhyme. 

Just the ammunition spended 
By a fellow killing time. 



CONTENTS 



My Neighbor, ....... i 

The Way o' the World, 2 

The Golden Rod Maid, 4 

Edith's Guitar, ....... 5 

Amor, ......... 6 

Miserere, ........ 8 

Memories, ........ q 

Au Revoir, ....... 10 

Straying, . . . . . . . .11 

Katrine, ........ 13 

Bon Appetit, ........ 15 

The Daisy Chain, 16 

Marionne, ........ 17 

My Rose, ........ 18 

Dreams, ........ 19 

Little Miss Muflfet, ...... 22 

Katy-Did, . . . . . . . .23 

Sleep, ........ 24 

In an Autograph Book, . . . . . .25 

Violette, 26 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 

Spring Dawn, ....... 27 

A Calendar, ....... 28 

Tempora Mtitantur, . . . . . -29 

Hope, ........ 30 

Tantalus, ........ 31 

Kate, ........ 32 

A Rose in a Florist's Window, . . . . -33 

With a Tea Cup, 34 

Diane, ......... 35 

Baby Marian, ....... 36 

Bien Chaussee, ....... 37 

Dreaming, ....... 39 

Blossom Time, ....... 40 

Requiescat, ....... 42 

Lenten Bells, ....... 43 

All the Year, ....... 45 

Mabel's Muff, 46 

Selena, ........ 49 

A Summer Fancy, ....... 51 

The Song of the Wind, 53 

Foot Notes, ........ 54 

Truth, 55 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 

With a Pair of Gloves, ..•••• ^ 

The Golden Rule, • ■ ■ * ' 

My Florist's Bill, •••••• 

Star Gazing, .■•••■" 
A Summer Afternoon, . • • • • 

Benedictine, .■■••■" 

Only One Day, .•■••• 

Golden Rod, .•••••' 

70 
Nowadavs, .•••••' 

To '' 



MY NEIGHBOR 

" Love your neighbor as yourself," 
'Tis so the prayer-book teaches, 

But far beyond the prayer-book rule 
My longing heart outreaches. 

So far above all other fair. 
My neighbor she outreaches. 

To make her mine I study hard 
At every wile Love teaches. 

If she were but a prayerful maid. 
And did what prayer-book teaches, 

My life such rapture then would know 
As not e'en heaven outreaches. 



THE WAY O' THE VvORLD. 

There was a laddie loved a lass, 
Said she, " I'll none of you," 

And the laddie sorrowed sadly 

For he thought her word was true ; 

' Till the lassie said, " Oh laddie 
No lass first speaks her mind. 

For we are made of many moods. 
You'll to your sorrow find ; 

Just come along to-morrow, lad. 

And see what I will say. 
Perhaps my answer then may be 

A yes instead of nav — " 



THE WA V O' THE WORLD 



And so he came again and wooed, 

Begged her to be his bride ; 
The lass of course consented 

And the nuptial knot was tied. 

Not many moon's had passed o'er them 
E'er the luckless lad did find, 

Far luckier had he been indeed. 
Had the lass ne 'er changed her mind. 



THE GOLDEN ROD MAID 

A maid with golden rod in her hair, 
While my heart at her feet is lying, 

The year, so fair in the Autumn air, 
I forget that its days are dying. 

On her breast a knot of the golden flower, 

And I, for her love a'sighing, 
I would that my heart was for but an hour 

Next her heart, so gladly dying. 



EDITH'S GUITAR 

By the soft caress of her fingers fair 
She wakens the strings unto music rare ; 
Sweet as the weaves by the zephyrs kissed. 
It follows the turn of her snowy wrist. 

In the rosewood case that is dusk with age 
Sleep haunting notes, that might charm a sage 
And I envy the ribbon of dainty blue, 
That holds it close to her heart so true. 

Great slumberous eyes hath my lady fair, 
And a forehead white under midnight hair ; 
Hath a beautiful damsel of sunny Spain, 
From the olden days, come back again? 

Ah, no ! 'Tis a jewel of greater worth, 
This peerless product of all the earth ; 
Fair as a fiower, a gem, a star, 
This girl of my heart, with the light guitar. 



AMOR. 

Dainty Cupid rambles, 
Well sunburned and hale, 

With his bow and arrows 
O'er hill and dale. 

Finds a guileless maiden 

Up among the hills, 
Sends an arrow whistling. 

Her heart strange rapture fills. 

Then away to seaside. 
There a dashing youth, 

'Neath his waistcoat feels a pang- 
Cupid's dart in truth. 



AMOR. 



Oh, the cunning mischief, 
Causing many a strife ; 

Yet bringing to us sometime 
The brightest joy of life. 

Frown we at his naughty wiles, 
Love him all the same, 

Long life to dainty Cupid, 
Successful be his game. 



MISERERE 

The sea is cold, and the sky is drear, 
And the clouds in the \\and are scurrying, 

On the waves chill breast lifted o'er foamy crest, 
A boat to its doom is hurrying. 



The clear sky smiles o'er the waters blue, 
And the gulls at their sport are flying, 

But the boat is gone, and the waves make moan 
O'er a form on the grey sand lying. 



MEMORIES 

O'er summer sand, 

O'er summer sea, 
Blows the light wind glad and free, 

Of other days, 

And other ways, 
ISIemories sweet it wafts to me. 

Oh ! days so sweet. 
On time's winged feet, 

Ye flew so quickly past recall, 
I now but dream, 
Of days that seem 

The onl}^ days I've lived at all. 



AU REVOIR 

Glad summer time is waning — 

The golden rod is here, 
And purple asters springing 

Fringe roadside far and near. 

The distant hills gleam nearer, 
Seen through the clearing air. 

The fruit trees' ripening clusters 
Hang rich in the sunshine fair. 

The song of the farmer, reaping, 
The fall of the golden grain, 

And birds making ready for flitting 
Away to the South again. 

And soon the autumn breezes 

Will send down the leaves in showers, 
Then farewell 'till another summer 

To sunshine and birds and flowers. 



STRAYING 

A tiny maid with shepherd's crook, 

In Arcadee a'maying ; 
Cupid met, eyes full of tears. 

His dimpled feet a 'straying. 

"I fear me much I've lost my way," 
He cries in deepest grief ; 

"My feet are torn, my heart is sad, 
I pray you lend relief." 

And so the maid binds up his feet 
In leaves of healing balm : 

She led him safely through the wood, 
And soothed his sad alarm. 



STRA YING 



Then bid they each a sweet farewell, 

When what does Cupid do 
But draw an arrow in his bow 

And pierce the maid's heart through. 



Alas, sweet maid, in Arcadee 
No more 3^ou go a'maying, 

But sadly wander far and near, 
To seek 3^our love a 'straying. 



KATRINE 

I long for a day 

That will come, Katrine, 
When the sky will be blue 

And the grass so green. 
And everywhere flowers 
a'springing. 

When that day shall come, 
That glad day, Katrine, 

I'll tell you, my love ; 

And you'll listen, I ween, 

To the song that my heart is 
a'singing. 



KA TRINE 



Then your fair hand in mine 

I will clasp, Katrine, 
To have and to hold 

For alway, Katrine, 
While the bells for us sweet are 
a'ringing. 



BON Ai^PETlT 

"Bon appetit," she laughing cried, 
And deftly laid the dishes, 

I looked, the fairest dish of all. 
Was laden well with kisses. 

"Bon appetit," again she cried, 
This charmingest of misses ; 

And then upheld her rosy lips. 
Most dainty dish of kisses. 

"Bon appetit," oh ! sweetest maid. 
Thus grant my wildest wishes ; 

What need to ask "bon appetit" 
For this the dish of dishes. 



THE DAISY CHAIN 

A pretty maid weaving a daisy chain, 

A gay little lover near ; 
The sunbeams fall on the dainty twain, 

And breezes blow soft and clear. 

The gay little lover takes pretty maid's hand, 
Each dimple to close with a kiss ; 

The daisy chain round them its floral band, 
Complete is their dream of bliss. 

Then gayly away to Arcadee, 

The land of eternal bloom. 
Where love may live for a year and a da}-, 

In the light of an ever new moon. 



MARIONNE 

With your ej^es so heavenly blue 
And your sweet smile kind and true, 
Who could help pay tribute to you, 
Sweet maid, Marionne. 

Winsome, gracious Marionne, 
All thy charming ways before me, 
Make me live but to adore thee, 
Sweet maid, Marionne. 

Pure, unselfish Marionne, 
Wise and goodly all thy ways, 
Brightening our darkest days. 
Sweet maid, Marionne. 

Fairest maid, kind fate attend thee, 

God his richest blessings send thee, 

Heaven its brightness ever lend thee. 

Sweet maid, Marionne. 



MY ROSE 

I gave a rose in blossom time, 

A rose of fragrant burden, 
Unto a friend who cherished it, 

As true love's royal guerdon. 

He sailed away across the sea 
This friend ni)- heart so cherished, 

He journe3-ed far for man}^ a day, 
Till love and rose had perished. 

My love will come no more to me. 
My rose again bloom never, 

And still, both love and fragrant rose. 
Will be my own forever. 



DREAMS 

In a great soft lounging chair 
Dreams are mine, so blissful, fair, 
By the dim light amber shaded, 
Tenderest dreams are gentl}' aided, 
Dreams of you. 

And I puff great fragrant clouds, 
Whose subtle, soothing, perfumed shroud, 
Wraps my thoughts in slumb'rous measure. 
Bringing dreams of dearest pleasure, 
Dreams of 3'ou. 

Through the smoke of cigarette 
Shine your dark eyes tear drop wet, 
As when last you left me sadly, 
Till I wish, alas ! so madly 
Dreams were real. 



DREAMS 



Thus I dream away the hour, 
Picturing the passion flower 
Rioting in purple gladness, 
Do its drowsing fumes bring sadness 
To your dreams ? 

And I wonder if you're swinging. 
Tropic flowers about you springing, 
In your hammock 'neath the trees 
While the winds waft o'er blue seas. 
Thoughts of me. 

I dream from that far sunny land, 
You come to me and lay your hand 
Upon my head and whisper soft 
In that dear voice I've heard so oft 
In dreams of you. 

And your gi"eat eyes' m^'stic splendor 
Glows about me, weirdly tender, 



DREAMS 



As I drowse in lounging chair 
Broidered by your hands so fair, 
And dream of you. 

Blissful dreams are gently aided. 
By amber lamp so softly shaded,. 
While I think with longing, sadly,. 
How I'd clasp you rapturous, madly. 
Were dreams but real. 



LITTLE MISS MUFFET 

Little Miss Muffet from Fairyland, 
Sits weaving garlands with skillful hand. 
Each blossom pierced with Cupid's dart, 
Alack-a-day is a lover's heart. 

The peach blows petal dulls in compare 
With the velvety glow on her cheek so fair, 
And her hair with the gleam of the sun o' the morn 
Is golden, and soft as the silk o' the corn. 

The little lady is witty and wise. 
She looks on the world through laughing eyes, 
And she gathers the hearts with a sweet laugh low, 
As the lovers come, then heart-reft go ; 

For little Miss Muffet is so fair to see. 

That none may come nigh her, and go heart free. 

'Tis the story old since the world began, 

The candle and moth, the maid and the man. 



KATY-DID 

" Katy did," from tree top high, 

" Kat^/ didn't," from hedgerow nigh. 

What is the message you fain would tell, 

With the "did" and the "didn't," you utter so well. 

Oh ! Katy you did, I am sure that you did, 
Though you thought the darkness your naughtiness hid 
But the talking insect that sits up aloft, 
Saw you kiss Jack, and is telling it oft. 

While his green-gowned mate in a neighboring tree. 
Being perverse as her sex always be. 
Insists that you " didn't " kiss Jack at all. 
And, "Katy didn't," she loudb^ does call. 



" Katy did " 'tis trtith I wot, 
" Katy didn 't ? " surely not. 
Insect sing and mate sing back, 
A straw I care not, for Fvi Jack. 



SLEEP 

Poppies I bring in heaping measure, 
Wreathed in garlands of golden sleep, 
Flora's choicest treasure of treasure, 
Mem'ries dear a 'fresh to keep. 

Drowsing petals o'er eyelids cast, 
While fancy with magic finger 
Touches to life the days that are past, 
And mem'ries come and linger. 

Why should we wake to pain and weeping, 
When gently lulled b}' this flower blest ? 
We may voyage fair o'er the sea of sleepin; 
Afar to the land of peace and rest. 



IN AN AUTOGRAPH BOOK 

I pray you friend make dear this book, 

By writing here a hne, 
Some clever bit from other bard, 

Or cleverer thought of thine, 

Or if perchance 3^our talent lies 

With brush, instead of pen. 
Then fix your fancy on my page. 

To which I'll turn me when 

Life's wheels turn round most drearily. 
And I'd court pleasant thought. 

Again, if you've no line to ^\nite, 
No sketch in mind have brought, 

At least you'll here inscribe 3'our name. 
Which, when my eye has caught, 

'Twill gleam like strand of golden thread 
In friendships's web fine wrought. 



VIOLETTE 

Oh ! maiden fair 

With midnight hair 

And eyes that my heart do fret, 

Your name doth suit 3-ou Violette, 

For none do you care, 

With your indolent air, 

My lady Violette. 

Your satins and lace 

And your flower-like face. 

The patter of your feet upon the floor, 

Think you, of the hearts that you adore ? 
Give one moment, sweet, 
To the lover at your feet, 
My lady Violette. 



SPRING DAWN 

The east is aglow with the light o' morn 

That shows all the earth so fair, 
'Tis the birth of the day and Spring's own dawn, 

And sweetness is everywhere. 

The only sound that is heard in the land 

Is a bird its matins singing. 
The flowering boughs on every hand 

Are decked with dewdrops clinging. 



A CALENDAR 

The green grass springing, the birds a'singing, 

The brooks set free, dash on in glee, 
Sweet blossoms fair, scent all the air. 

And Earth doth sing, 'Tis Spring. 

The sun hangs high in bluest sky. 

Afield is the rain of glittering grain, 
The new mo\\Ti hay in swathes doth lay, 

In the perfumed heat of Summer sweet. 

The leaden grey of the closing day, 

The swirling leaves down dropped from the trees 
And taken in trust by the eddpng gust, 

Proclaiming all — 'Tis Fall. 

The hard bright light on the glittering white 
Of the fields of snow in its ghostly glow. 

And the whistling wind as it hurrj^s to find 
A place less drear — Winter's here. 



TEMPORA MUTANTUR 

In days of old, tiny Love 

Wore only bow and arrow, 
But now he wears a suit of tweed 

And patent leathers narrow. 

In those good days, one died of love, 
An arrow through the heart ; 

But now a bargain's coolly made 
In the matrimonial mart. 

The passion too has sadly changed. 

Of old, 'twas love of creature, 
While now, alas, the love of gold, 

Has grown Love's strongest feature. 



HOPE 

The rain doth fall, 
The leaves go swirlmg earthward, 
And the sky is dull and grey 

O'er all. 

The flowers are dead, 
The brook hastes onward to the river, 
Thence cold and dark flows to the sea, 

Its bed. 

Strong winds cold, 
Blow o'er all the landscape. 
The year near run its 'lotted space. 

Is old. 

But Spring vernal 
Will come again through all the land. 
Darkness to light will turn, and death to 

Life eternal. 



TANTALUS 

Lips all hung with kisses, 

Eyes of summer blue, 
Hair of spun thread golden. 

Heart most truly true. 

Not for me the lips kiss laden, 

Nor a glance from the eyes so blue. 

No thought for my poor heart broken, 
In her heart so truly true. 



KATE 

bonny Kate, O winsome Kate, 
You wile my heart from me, 

1 tarry 'neath your lattice late 
To win one glance from thee. 

And then O Kate, O fairest Kate, 

Cross curtain close there fiits ^^our shade, 

And I with naught for tarrying late, 
Go home to dream of thee fair maid. 



A ROSE IN A FLORIST'S WINDOW 

Outside, the frost, and biting air, 
The snow clouds blown by the icy wind, 

Within, warm sheltered the blossom fair, 
A great rose, in dewy leaves entwined. 

Oh ! foolish rose, rest sweet in your nest. 
Nor long for the snow through your window 
gleaming, 
'Twere death to you to lie on its breast, 
Though it dance in the wind in innocent 
seeming. 



WITH A TEA CUP 

I pray you fairest Phyllis 

Accept this cup for tea, 
And in its depths oh! may you drown 

All woes Fate sends to thee. 

And when from o'er its gilded rim 

You sip the fragrant tea, 
I pra}^ you have one pleasant thought 

Of him who gave it thee. 



DIANE 

She steps sedately, 

This maid so stately, 
A look intense and earnest on her face 
Her bow and arrows slung to join the chase. 

'Tis Diane tall and fair, 

This maid most rare. 



She steps sedately, 

'Tis " good form " latel}-. 
Her gov\'n is silk and velvet trimmed with lace. 
In slippers Louis Quinze she runs her pace. 

'Tis Diane of to-day, 

So changed her way. 



BABY M;-lRIAN 

Dainty little Marian, 

Bluest eyes, and rosy lips, 

How gaily does she run about, 
Amongst the clover tips. 

See how the scented blossoms 
Pour out their perfume sweet, , 

And bend in happy sacrifice, 
Beneath the baby feet. 

The daisies nod beside her, 

And the birds sing close at hand. 

For not a baby fairer 
Dwells in blue birds' land. 

Blessings little sv.-eetheart. 
Upon your winsome ways, 

May life for you be sunshine. 
And blossoms, all your days.,. 



BIEN CHAUSSEE 

Sing I shoes of all the ages, 

To charm the gods and wm the sages.- 

Alas ! to work such havoc shocking, 
A dainty shoe with glimpse of stocking. 

Fair Hypatia's sandals slender, 
Classic grace to footsteps lend her. 

Beebee's tinj^ sabots clatter, 
Keeping time with merry chatter. 

Or Louis Quinze of modern flirt. 
Peeping forth 'neath lace frilled skirt. 

Hypatia, Beebee, Gretchen, all, 
Mabel, Prudence, Diane tall. 



38 BIEN CHAUSSBE 

Bien Chaussee in fashion's mart, 
No comfort 'tis to heal the smart. 

Sing I shoes of all the ages, 

To charm the gods and win the sages. 

And work the ruin of modern man, 

As naught but shoes and stockings can. 



DREAMING 

In a hammock light and low, 
Swung where breezes softly blow, 
And the shadows come and go, 

I lounge and dream away the hours. 
Soothed by perfume of the flowers, 
ShoM^ered from rose vines' arching bowers. 

And my heart in fancy free 
Wings its glad way unto thee, 
O'er green land and rolling sea. 

And I fain would follow fast. 

To find with thee sweet rest at last 

In some fair land, all sorrow past. 



BLOSSOM TIME 

Pink sweet rose, 

Flower o' the vine, 
Petals showering in fragrant rhyme, 
With the bird's sweet notes of blossom time, 

Glad sweet rose, 

Flower o' the vine. 

Mild soft zephyr, 

Child o' the wind, 
Messenger sweet from a warmer clime. 
From land of jessamine and flowering lime, 

Caressing zephyr, 

Child o' the wind. 



BLOSSOM TIME 



Come, sweet rose, 

Come, zephyr mild, 

The vine's fair flower, 
And the south wind's child, 

Come dance in the sunshine on green sward clear, 
For summer and blossom time are here. 



REQUIESCAT 

Spring's but a memory dear, 
Summer was yesterday, 

Autumn's sky above is clear. 
And Winter seems far away. 

Youth's but a memory dear, 
Manhood was yesterday, 

Old Age with its trembling fear 
Of Death still far away. 

But the sky that was clear, 
And the memory dear. 

And the Summer of yesterday- 
Oh ! alas for them all, 
For Death with its pall 

Brings Winter to them to-day. 



LENTEN BELLS 

The Lenten bells are calling, 
From turret and from tower, 

To step from ont the hurry 
And spend a quiet hour. 

Their melody is stealing 

Athwart the city's din 
As the voice in mercy calling, 

" Go pure, and no more sin." 

A benediction bearing, 

Like breath of evening prayer, 
A soothing of our sorrow 

And lightening of our care. 



LENTEN BELLS 



A mercy that is falling 

Alike on rich and poor, 
Alike for saint and sinner 

It doth fore'er endure. 

And through their music showering 
Comes blessing full and free ; 

Like hand on weary forehead, 
It falls on thee and me. 



ALL THE YEAR 

" In the Spring a young man's fancy," 

So the sweetest poet sings, 
Lightly turns to thought of loved one, 

And nature all her joy bells rings. 

Then the summer blooms, and sunshine 
Floods the days of gladsome weather. 

And by mountain and by seaside 
Men and maids join hands together. 

'Neath the fruit hung vine of autumn 
Diane her true love doth find. 

As the year creeps slowly homeward, 
Leaving all but love behind, 

Last, the winter, draped in frost work. 
With the sky above so clear, 

E'en the snow cannot chill Cupid, 
And Love lives through all the year. 



MABEL'S MUFF 

Cupid, one cold winter's day, 

Well punished by the icy blast 

For all his sins in summer past, 
Wandered shivering on his way. 

" Alack ! " he cried, in chattering tone, 
" This cruel Boreas has me fast ; 
'Tis too much pain for sins all past. 

Sure I must die here all alone." 

Hope almost gone, he chanced to spy 

Mabel coming with her muff. 

"Ha, ha ! a refuge here from Boreas rough- 
A shelter found ; I need not die. '' 



MABEL'S MUFF 



liis wings he spread and quick did fly 

Into the pretty silk-lined muff ; 

"Ah, this is warm, aye, warm enough 
Next clasp-ed hands to snugly lie." 

But warmth made clear young mischief's head, 
(For warm it was, and warmer grew, 
Till Cupid, who, w4th cold was blue. 

With heat turned rosy red.) 

Thought he, p raps Mabel tripping I may catch. 
As plans and schemes went through his brain. 
Said he, " I'll feel these hands again." 

" Ho, ho !" he cries, "her hands don't match." 

And true it was that both v^-eve right — 
(Cupid 'tween the two had lain. 
Till now he almost cried with pain) 

The large one held the small so tight. 



48 MABEVS MUFF 



He wriggled hard, till cleared his bands, 
And gladly left the sheltering muff. 
Said he, "I'd rather brave old Boreas rough 

Than burn in lover's clasp-ed hands " 

ENVOI 

And Mabel sweet, with tender swain. 
With hands close clasped in silk-lined muff, 
Where warm it was, just warm enovigh. 

Strolled slow away down lover's lane. 



SELENA 

The quaint old-time name 

Quite suits you, dear. 
As do your great eyes, 

Dangerous blue and clear. 

No rush nor hurry doth 

Your movement fret : 
I think you'd dance right 

Well the stately minuet. 

In some old-fashioned garden 
Sure you bloomed, sweet maid. 

Walled in by fragrant hedge, 
Shielded bv odorous shade. 



SELENA 



Companioned by heliotrope's rich perfume 
And dainty mignonette's most subtle bloom, 
And all the sweet old flowers that memor}'- 

pictures clear — 
Happ}' they, to bloom beside you, dear. 



A SUMMER FANCY 

In a hammock, swinging low, 
Just across the way, you know, 
Dainty gown of rosy pink, 
Shppers Louis Quinze, I think. 
Maddening mass of golden hair, 
Rounded arm so white and fair, 
Rose leaves scattered on the ground, 
Rose-perfumed the air around. 
And this pictiu'e 'neath the trees. 
Gently swayed by boldest breeze, 
In a hammock swinging low, 
Is just across the way, you know. 

From my window, bending low. 
Longing glances do I throw 
To where the trees bend branches fair- 
Sure a hammock should swing there. 



A SUMMER FANCY 



And the leaves in freshest green, 
With STinhght touched to golden sheen 
Rose leaves scattered on the ground, 
Rose-perfumed the air around. 
'Tis a picture, with the trees 
Gently swaying in the breeze, 
But there is no hammock low 
Holding maiden fair, you know. 



THE SONG OF THE WIND 

What is the anthem the North wind sings, 

As the blossoming boughs it tosses and flings ? 

It is bvit a song of the ages ago ; 

Blow where ye list, oh Northwind, blow. 

The song of life from the death that seems, 
The waking from sleep that hath no dreams, 
As the green earth from the snow shroud o'er it 

thrown, 
So shall the soul of man come to its own. 

As the blossom that's locked for a time in the tree, 
And the brook one time fettered now dashes free, 
So the spirit, eternal life, surely will find. 
And this is the promise that's sung by the wind. 



FOOT NOTES 

By Christmas fire, sit I dreaming, 
Watching ]\Iabel in its light ; 

Brighter are her dark eyes gleaming, 
Than the glowing anthracite. 

Asks me now in voice caressing, 

If I think to-morrow morn. 
It would not be most distressing 

To find her stocking all forlorn ? 

Then my glance falls to the fender, 
Where rest dainty slippered feet, 

And my voice must needs grow tender, 
As I say, "Oh ! maid most sweet, 

Santa Claus may bring you treasure. 
Rarest gems, or silks, or gold, 

Naught as fine as now its measure. 
Can your silken stocking hold." 



TRUTH 

'Tis a fancy quaint and olden, 
Truth lies deep within a well ; 

But honest hands its secret golden, 
Can induce the deeps to tell. 

List my fancy, not so olden. 
Truth lies in my true love's e3^es, 

And lover's heart the secret golden 
Can hear told in her sweet sighs. 



WITH A PAIR OF GLOVES 

Go, little glove, to her I love ; 

To guard her hand thy task, 
Oh were so sweet a duty mine, 

No greater boon I'd ask. 

With soft caress her fingers press, 

But be not over bold, 
And thus the hand I may but touch, 

I'll by thy proxy, hold. 



THE GOLDEN RULE 

' ' Sweetheart knowest the Golden Rule 
Taught at school ? 
So ! I give you kisses three, 
That is just what seems to me 
The Golden Rule." 

' ' Thus I unto others do 
(As done to you), 
As I'd have them do to me ; 
So you owe me kisses three 
Is that true ? " 



58 THE GOLDEN RULE 

But this saucy sweetheart, she 
Laughs at me, 

Says, "that's but the rule of three 
As that rule was taught to me 
When at school." 

Leaning o'er my easy chair. 
This maiden fair. 
Gives me then of kisses four 
And tells me " there are plenty more, 
That's her rule. 



MY FLORIST'S BILL 

A bill from my florist 

Most woeful to see ; 
A record of follies 

Committed by me. 

The items that stare 

Seem to grin in wild glee, 

And shout dollars and cents 
In derision of me. 

I sit and gaze sadly 

At columns so long, 
While through my brain madly. 

Repentant thoughts throng. 



6o MV FL ORIS T'S BILL 

There are baskets for Natalie, 
Violets for Beebee, 

And many an item 

Of " one bontonniere?" 

For " M3-steria" roses, 
That cost a mad sum ; 

To no one could roses 
More fittingly come. 

And then again, roses. 
And roses once more, 

I ordered them left 
Each day at a door. 

A door I gazed on 
As the shrine of a saint — 

So she was, behind footlights, 
With powder and paint. 



MV FLORISTS BILL 



There are bunches of buds 

For the sweet " debutantes," 
The price a man pays 

For a possible dance. 

Great creamy lilies 

And a jar of palms, too. 
Sent over to Boston 

To sweet Cousin Prue. 

And then every week 

One virtue in record so drear. 
Box of old-fashioned flowers 

To " Madame ma mere." 

I muse on the list of follies so many. 

And vow by economy now to atone 
For the dollars that sadly I'll pay on the morrow 

For the one time fair flowers now faded and gone. 



STAR GAZING 

' Twas the very last crush of the season, 
And gorgeous as such affairs are. 

Majorie and I had wandered 
To the lawn to look up at a star ; 

At least Majorie gazed at the star, 
And wondered just what it might be, 

But I could only gaze on Majorie — 
The brightest of all stars to me. 

Then speaks the radiant beauty, 
With dreamy eyes fixed afar — 

I wonder, Jack, are there people 
At all like us on that star ? 



STAR GAZING 63 



Are there girls who have waited a season, 
With a dear, clumsy fellow near, 

Just dying to have him " say something,' 
And he just stupid with fear? 

And then, however it happened 

I never could clearly tell, 
But certain it is I " said something," 

And into my arms there fell — 

Not a star from the heaven above me, 
But Majorie, gem without flaw. 

As she whispers, " Do you know, Jack, 
I really don't care a straw 

For the very impossible people 
Who would live away off in a star." 



A SUMMER AFTERNOON 

The hush of a listening silence 

Is abroad in all the land, 
The sun falling through the branches, 

Strews gold upon either hand. 

The brook is soft in its murmur, 

As its tale of true love is told 
To the daisies that nod 'gainst the grasses, 

Soft robed in their white and gold. 

The trout 'neath the bank's cool shadow. 

So still in the crystal stream. 
That he is scarce discovered 

By the sun's most searching beam. 

And the day as it creeps to its closing, 

Drags slow its laggard feet, 
As though it was saddened by leaving 

A scene that is all so sweet. 



BENEDICTINE 

A votre sante, fair madame, 

In Benedictine golden ; 
It brings to mind the stor)^ told 

Of saints in times so olden. 

How weary, hungry, lonely, worn, 

A monk lay, life near ended, 
A sweet saint passing heard his cry. 

And quick his wants attended, 

" Give me to drink," the old monk moaned. 
The saint reached grape hung vine ; 

The sweet juice, forced in amber cup, 
Produced the magic Avine. 



66 BENEDICTINE 



The sufferer quick the chahce drained, 
New life his being thrilled ; 

The saint departing left the cup, 
With wine 'tis ever filled. 

And so the Benedictines claim 
This nectar Heaven descended, 

'Tis liquid sunshine, perfumed rare, 
All charms in it are blended. 

A votre sante, fair madame, 

In Benedictine golden ; 
Its perfume rare, and your fair face, 

Bring back the storj'' olden. 



ONLY ONE DAY 

You gave me one of )'Our days, dear heart, 

All for my very own, 
I remember your every gesture, 

I treasure your every tone. 

I can see you now as you sat, dear, 

In the great oak easy chair, 
While a zephyr I sorely envied, 

Soft lifted a curl of your hair. 

I remember all that you said then. 
Your words so strong and true ; 

I remember the room where we sat, dear. 
But best I remember you. 



ONL Y ONE DA Y 



It was but one of your days, dear heart, 

Generous you gave it to me, 
You cannot take it away now, 

It is mine — a gift from thee. 

It was but little to you, I know, 

Only your kindly ways. 
But it must last me through all the years, 

That one short perfect da^^ 



GOLDEN ROD 

The glorious clusters of golden flower, 
Nodding on slender stalks of green, 

Marking the summer's sunset hour. 
Lighting the shades with a tawny gleam. 

Clothing the fields in a garment fair. 

Bending in regal beauty fine ; 
A golden sceptre, of fashion rare. 

Modelled of gold from Flora's mine. 

Rich with the color of sunset's glow, 
Fairest flower that springs from the sod ; 

Its fragrance out on the wind doth flow 
Generous, beautiful Golden Rod. 



NOWADAYS 

She is a nowadays maiden, 

And he a most commonplace swain ; 
She, with her beads and her buckles, 

He, with his bang and his cane. 

She, a pretty New Yorker, 

He, a Columbia man ; 
Each struggling for social successes 

As only a New Yorker can. 

But they met, and they love, and are wedded 
In a way just as true and as good 

As if they were Darby and Joan, 
And in old time simplicity wooed. 



TO 

Dear friend, thou art so true, 

I'd fain my actions shape to be Uke you ; 

If you may not be ever by my side, 

Your spirit be m}^ conscience and my guide. 

A friend thou art who likest not my faults, 

You'd have me wage 'gainst them most dead assaults, 

I struggle on nor mind the pain and smart, 

Less that right is right, than just to win thy heart. 



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